Name: Sakura

Level: 2/25

Species: Water Nymph

HP:1600/1600 (1600/1600)

MP:2000/2000

SP:900/900

Offense:19

Defense:268

Magic Power:619

Resistance:268

Speed:460

[Skills: Humming Lvl 2, Swimming Lvl 7, Appraise Lvl 3, Water Immunity, Night Vision Lvl 5, Ice Resistance Lvl 6, Camouflage Lvl 2, Fear Resistance Lvl 5, Foul Heart Lvl 1, Water Barrier Lvl 1, Water Slicer Lvl 2, Life Dew Lvl 1, Hyrdomancy Lvl 1, Oceanic Blessing Lvl 1, Pain Resistance Lvl 1, Heat Resistance Lvl 1, Magic Perception Lvl 1]

[Titles: The Last of Her Kind, Hybrid Species, Blood Sucker, Guardian of The Ocean]

[Skill Points: 50]

[Follower Count: 2]

Title: The Sweet Song of The Sea: The Three Guardians

Micah gripped the water skin tightly in his arms as he ran through the wet and muddy woodland as fast as his muscular feet carried him. He was still reeling from the fact that he was working directly with the guardian. He never stopped believing after all these years and his grandfather would have been proud had he been alive. He glanced at the water skin containing the magical water and his heart soared. The guardian’s kindness was more than he deserved and for that he was grateful.

When Lahni and he traveled to the mainland to obtain medicine for his mother he knew it was a perilous trip and Jidanbo did nothing to dissuade him from going since they all probably thought he was going to die. Unfortunately, that trip was the beginning of the end of their relationship. He saw different sides of her that dampened his affections for her but he still obliged her like a fool.

Her drinking, flirting with other men, indulging in debaucheries that the tribe was taught to avoid. Micah hadn’t believed his eyes when he saw her true self, a vast contrast to her pitiful and soft-spoken act. The journey back, much to Lahni’s reluctance and desire to stay, was much tenser and their relationship was already strained enough as it is.

That’s when they saw it, an elongated body moving through the water. The pitch-black scales were a telltale sign along with the storm. He had heard stories of the legendary beast and it being there meant something had angered it and they were caught in the middle. Suddenly, Lahni attacked the beast out of fear, much to his horror and that’s when the beast turned its attention to them. He was sure the attack did absolutely nothing to the beast and it just viewed them as an annoyance that needed to be destroyed.

He had never been so scared in his life. He exhausted every maneuver he had to avoid dying while ignoring Lahni's wailing, he had to focus more on trying to steer the boat than comfort her. At that moment, he remembered the words his grandfather told him. When in mortal danger, pray to the guardians and they will come. Even in his death bed, his grandfather still believed and the guardians never came.

Resentment had filled his heart and he was reluctant to call out to the water guardian but he had no choice. He risked it all and called out for the guardian, any guardian for that matter, hoping something came to save them.

Then he saw her.

Like a goddess, she emerged from the water with the elegance no other could muster. Her long flowing mane of water, her aquamarine body, it all had him enamored with one look. When she spoke to them, the resentment he harbored, disappeared in an instant and all that filled him was absolute faith. However, when she started humming that delightful tune. It was then he knew that his faith in her would never ever be shaken. When he was sad he wouldn’t see her again, she showed up in all her glory, comforting him and asking his wish.

His wish?

He only wanted people to believe in the guardians. His grandfather believed in them until the end of his days and he too wanted to do the same. The people disrespected them, spat on their name and he wanted them to believe again and maybe he wanted them to eat their words for the way he was treated all of those years. He broke free from his reverie as the village came into sight. He wasn’t too fond of the tribesmen.

However, the beauty of the village used to be astounding now it was only passable. It was located at the base of the mountain where a waterfall flowed from the mountain and formed a lake in the middle that divided the village into two sections. He strolled through the gates of the village, ignoring the imploring looks of his tribesmen. He entered his home, hearing his mother’s weak coughs.

“Mother!” He cried out, rushing into her room. There she stood, hunched over holding her injured chest and coughing out blood.

She raised her head and offered him a sweet smile. “My dear sweet boy, you’ve returned.” She wheezed, coughing once more.

“Dammit mother, I told you to stay in bed!” Micah scolded before helping her back to bed.

She chuckled. “You know I was never one to stay still boy.”

Micah shook his head in exasperation before speaking. “Mother, I have something to tell you.” He whispered.

She noticed the excitement in his voice. “Tell me, did you and Lahni made up?”

“No, that…that is over now.” He lamented.

“Good, she was never good enough for you.” She remarked.

He laughed before moving closer to her and he smiled mysteriously. “Mother, I’ve met a guardian. Specifically, the water guardian.”

Her eyes widened. “Zellel?”

He scoffed. “No, one of the three guardians.”

Her laugh rang out in the room followed by a series of coughs. Micah stared at his mother with an aggrieved expression.

Its true mother!”

“The guardians abandoned us years ago,” She spat, “I don’t want to hear your delusions anymore. Your grandfather was the same way and that goes for your father as well. We're all suffering and none these guardians have helped despite how many times we pray.”

“It's not delusions and I can prove it, mother!” Micah snapped before showing her the water skin, “In this water skin is magical water she gave to me to heal you. I know it’s difficult to believe after what we’ve all been through but please trust me.”

She looked at the water skin warily. “I don’t believe you but you’re my son and I love you regardless.”

Micah grinned before opening the waterskin. He held the water skin over her mouth and pour the sparkling water in. She drank it greedily, smacking her lips in delight.

“Gods, that is the most refreshing water I’ve tasted.” She said in between labored breaths.

“How do you feel?” Micah asked, praying to the guardian that it works.

“I feel so much better..” She weakly said before sitting up with more strength than she had before. “I can still some pain from my injury but the pain is much less than before."

Micah was relieved and smiled at his mother. “You mustn’t say a word to anyone mother.”

She looked at him suspiciously. “Why?”

“Don’t worry too much, mother. The village is about to enter a new era.”

Before his mother could say anything, a shrill scream echoed throughout the village.

“What was that?”

Micah frowned. “Stay here mother. I’ll go and see what’s happening.” He said, putting away the waterskin safely and running out.

“Be careful!”

Micah ran to the village square and found a crowd. Half of the village population was present and in front of the chief hut was Jidanbo standing with Lahni on her knees in front of him with her hands tied.

“Please, I was wrong!” Lahni wept, lowering her head.

Jidanbo huffed and moved to stand right behind the weeping girl. His hulking body towered over her and he immediately pressed his foot on her back forcing her face in the mud.

“This trash,” he paused for effect, “has committed a crime. That crime is blasphemy and believing in false guardians!”

The crowd broke out in murmurings at this statement. Micah balled his hands into fists as he glared at Jidanbo.

“She claims that this so-called water guardian saved her from the World Serpent but as we all know the Serpent hasn’t been seen in years so that’s impossible.”

“It's true!” Lahni shrieked, as her maddened eyes began to search the crowd and they found Micah. “Micah, please! Tell them it’s true!”

Micah could feel stares burning holes into him but he remained calm even as the crowd parted and revealed him to Jidanbo. 'The Guardian was right. Lahni exposed me in front of everyone when things got bad.’ Micah thought with disappointment as his last shred of fondness for her disappeared from his heart.

“Is this true, Micah? Are you part of this blasphemous crime?” Jidanbo asked, his lips forming a mysterious smile. “You’ve met one of these guardians? The water guardian?”

Micah confidently walked towards Jidanbo with a serious expression. “It's true.” He said.

His answer made the crowd let out gasps of horror and a cocky teenager stepped out of the crowd and laugh. “Just like his grandfather and father, am I right?” He said, making the crowd laugh in response.

Jidanbo chuckled, looking at the boy with an amused smile.“Kai, it’s best you don’t disrespect the previous chief.”

Micah continued, ignoring the jeers and laughter. “Yes, the guardian did save us and she’s way better than your so-called guardian!”

The crowd grew silent at his words. Jidanbo was absolutely livid and growled. “Blasphemous!”

Micah grew more confident and turned to the crowd.

“What has that ‘guardian' done for this village? We aren’t able to grow proper crops, half of our people are injured and we have dead bodies piling up and left to rot. What kind of guardian lets people suffer? You're all silent allowing this to happen and not even questioning it!”

Jidanbo watched as the people began to talk in hushed voices and his heart blackened. “Seize him for this treachery!”

“NO!” Micah yelled, startling everyone because no one ever saw him raise his voice in anger. He turned to Jidanbo and pointed at him. “Jidanbo, I challenge you for the seat of the village chief!”

Jidanbo popped a vein on his forehead. “You what?!”

“For this challenge, we will solve all the problems of the village in ten days. If you lose, I get your seat and If I lose, I’ll leave this island and never return.”

“You!” Jidanbo sputtered, observing the reactions of the people. The people were watching him intently with aggrieved expressions.

“You deny the challenge?!” Micah taunted with a smirk.

Jidanbo cursed. “I accept the challenge.” He begrudgingly accepted.

Micah nodded and turned to the crowd. “You have all witnessed this challenge in the name of the guardians.” He spat before walking away with a wildly beating heart.

‘It is as the guardian predicted.’ Micah thought with relief before heading home to prepare for the plan he will enact the next day.

While Micah carried out his part of the plan she found two secret pathways at the bottom of her magical pool. The right one goes directly to the sea as she had checked it before and she was currently swimming through the other left pathway.

Now that she had gained the magic perception skill she could sense magic if she’s close to a magical source but far away sources were still out of yet range, for now. Right now, she couldn’t sense anything and immediately thought it was because of the lack of aquamarine gems.

She had studied the gems in her pool for a while, enjoying the feel of the magic emanating from them. ‘They seem to have an effect on the water. When I jumped into the pool back then I must’ve recharged them somehow.’ She theorized after some thought.

The further she went the passage became more narrow. When she found the exit she nervously went through it, wondering what she might come across in her exploration. She founded herself deep underwater in another pool that was slightly bigger than her own. She felt no magical energy like the one before and swam towards the surface.

Then she felt it, something magical speeding towards her and it was close. Sakura widened her eyes in fear and crossed both arms. Water quickly converged around her and formed a bubble. A beam of pale light crashed into her bubble. She watched with wide eyes, her bubble being pushed inwards by the force of the attack. Suddenly, it exploded in a flurry of mist, and pushing her downwards and destroying her barrier.

‘Ahh!’ Sakura screamed in pain, her body sizzling slightly before cooling drastically. She gritted her teeth and checked health.

Name: Sakura

Level: 2/25

Species: Water Nymph

HP:1600/1600 (1400/1600)

MP:2000/2000

SP:850/900

[Water Barrier Lvl 2]

When she saw that her HP barely moved she sighed in relief but that didn’t last long. Due to her magic perception skill, she sensed another attack homing in on her position. She was unsure of who was attacking her unprovoked but this time she was prepared. She slashed her hand horizontally, unleashes a water blade towards the attack. Luckily for her, despite her shoddy accuracy, she was able to hit it. The magical attacks collided in a miniature explosion near the surface of the water. Using this small chance, she broke the surface of the water and flew into the air. Now, airborne she could get a good look at her attackers. Her eyes locked onto two figures standing on a platform.

‘Appraise!’

Name: Aster

Level: 3/25

Species: Misty Nymph

HP:1900/1900

MP:1800/1800

SP:900/900

[Misty Nymph: This life form is considered to be one of the keepers of nature and are attuned to all things related to death. They are considered the protectors of the balance and also protectors of souls and the underworld.]

●

Name: Saundi

Level: 4/25

Species: Earth Nymph

HP:2000/2000

MP:1500/1500

SP:900/900

[Earth Nymph: This life form is considered to be one of the keepers of nature and is attuned to the earth and all things within. They are considered the protectors of the balance and also protectors of ancient treasures as well.]

She landed on the large platform with three giant pillars and came face to face with the two nymphs. Instinctively, she knew what they were and the information she received only confirmed it. On the left was the Earth Nymph, his dirt body in the shape of a muscular human male, and on the right was the Misty Nymph in the shape of a human female.

“Why did you attack?!” She yelled, glaring at them both. This startled the other two nymphs, despite the harshness of her words, were surprised at how beautiful she sounded.

The earthen nymph stepped forward and spoke in a gruff voice. “It was my companion, cousin, she was just startled by your presence and began to attack. I hope you accept our sincere apology.”

Sakura glared at the misty nymph who sent her an apologetic look. “I apologize, cousin, I-I I'm sorry again. You may call me, Aster.” She said with a layered voice that sounded like she was speaking with many different voices at once.

“And you may call me, Saundi, cousin.’ Saundi said with a bow.

Sakura didn’t relax her guard and eyed them warily.“You may call me Sakura and please don’t attack me unprovoked.” She said softly, before studying the two in front of her. When she appraised them, she was able to see their names and wondered if they were reincarnated like her but she couldn't prove it just because of their names.

“Its good to finally meet another reincarnator like us,” Saundi said, breaking the silence.

Aster raised her hands in surrender. “We don’t want to fight but it’s been hard…waking up in this world full of monsters and having to survive.”

“But you don’t look surprised,” Saundi added.

Sakura studied them for a bit before she spoke. “It was just a hunch, more an assumption, but nothing concrete. How long have you been in this world?”

“It been one year for me and I still can't remember the majority of my previous life,” Saundi replied quietly.

“Six months for me and missing memories as well.” Aster sighed.

“I honestly do not know how long I’ve been here but I also have missing memories,” Sakura whispered, quickly analyzing this information. “How did you get to this island and how long have you been here?”

“As a misty nymph, I’m able to use graveyards as portals to go anywhere in the world and came here by accident since the portals are random. I learned about the guardians from Saundi when I got here and that was a month ago.” Aster supplied before looking at Saundi.

“I stowed away on a boat here after learning the story of the guardians. I know how that sounds but I’m a lover of knowledge and wanted to learn more about this world. I’ve been here for a couple of months now.”

“I see,” Sakura pondered before she frowned. “Don’t you think it’s strange that we all ended up here somehow and that we're all reincarnators?”

“Its certainly suspicious given our backgrounds,” Aster remarked, “Saundi seems to think so as well.”

“Do you know the history of the guardians?” Saundi interjected, “There isn’t a lot of information on the guardians but this island is where the previous guardians were created. The guardians represent life, death, and rebirth which is the cycle of reincarnation.”

“That seems like too much of a coincidence.” Sakura was stunned.

“It’s said that the guardians protect this island and all of the inhabitants but it doesn’t mention the why. It only mentions that these guardians are special somehow," Saundi replied, “which brings me to our unique disposition and parentage.’

“You mean that we’re all hybrid species?” Sakura tentatively asked.

He nodded. “We’re all offspring of cross-breeding which I’ve learned is something not well-known in this world and taboo.

“How do you know all of this?” Sakura asked Saundi, amazed by all the information he knows.

He coughed and smiled. “I’m just a pursuer of knowledge.” He proudly said. “Right now, we were planning on how to help the villagers and regain our prestige. We gained followers out of the blue and I still don’t know-how. Also, we still have to figure out what this room does. I’ve tried going through the floor but it's impossible and I’m unable to sense anything below.

Sakura looked around the room for the first time and noticed its divided into four parts with the circle platform in the middle. One section is the pool of water she came out from, another is a dirt mound with some rocks and plants and the other is a single headstone with a mist around it. The last part is another pool of water with a waterfall coming from above.

“This room seems very important.” She said told them.

Aster nodded. “It may have some sort of significance to the guardians since we all have some means of getting here. We just haven’t figured it out yet.”

Sakura turned to the hulking earth nymph. “About the followers, you gained, that was me, I saved two tribesmen out on the sea.”

“How did you get them to follow you?!” Saundi was surprised and appeared in front of her with what looked to be an expectant expression.

She stepped back, startled by his overwhelming form. “I think they just have to believe in us for it to work,” Sakura told him warily.

“Of course, is that simple.” Saundi contemplated, “I just need to meet with these two followers and maybe we can get the entire tribe to believe in the guardians again.

“How do we do that?” Aster asked, looking at them both hopelessly.

“I may have already started on that,” Sakura said, earning surprising looks from both Aster and Saundi, “I guess I can tell you the plan and we can all decide where to go from there.”

Saundi smiled broadly at her. “We’re all ears, cousin.”